Chichicastenango, Guatemala
What better way to learn about Guatemala, then to learn about the town where the girl’s daddy comes from. Today’s post is on Chichicastenango, Guatemala and the famous Iglesia de Santo Tomás (Church of Saint Thomas). This town located in the El Quiché department of Guatemala, known for its traditional K’iche’ Maya culture.
Exploring the father’s hometown Chichicastenango we discovered the beautiful and historic church Santo Tomás.
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Photo credit via Commons Wikimedia |
The church of Santo Tomás is rich with history and it was built in 1545 atop a Pre-Columbian temple platform, and the steps originally leading to a temple of the pre-Hispanic Maya civilization remain venerated. It’s a Roman Catholic church located in the market place of Chichicastenango. K’iche’ Maya priests still use the church for their rituals, burning incense and candles. Each of the 18 stairs that lead up to the church stands for one month of the Maya calendar year.